Symptoms

Main symptoms of a frozen shoulder are:

Decreased motion of the shoulder

Pain

Stiffness

Frozen shoulder without any known cause starts with pain. This pain prevents you from moving your arm. This lack of movement can lead to stiffness and even less motion. Over time, you are not able to do movements such as reaching over your head or behind you.

Exams and Tests

Your health care provider will ask about your symptoms and examine your shoulder. A diagnosis is often made when you are not able to rotate your shoulder.

You may have x-rays of the shoulder. This is to make sure there is no other problem, such as arthritis. Sometimes an MRI exam shows inflammation, but imaging tests do not show specific signs to diagnose frozen shoulder.

Treatment

It can take a few weeks to see progress. It may take as long as 6 to 9 months for complete recovery. Physical therapy is intense and needs to be done every day.

Left untreated, the condition often gets better by itself within 2 years with little loss of motion.

Risk factors for frozen shoulder, such as diabetes or thyroid problems, should also be treated.

Surgery is recommended if nonsurgical treatment is not effective. This procedure (shoulder arthroscopy) is done under anesthesia. During surgery the scar tissue is released (cut) by bringing the shoulder through a full range of motion. Arthroscopic surgery can also be used to cut the tight ligaments and remove the scar tissue from the shoulder. After surgery, you may receive pain blocks (shots) so you can do physical therapy.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Treatment with physical therapy and NSAIDs often restores motion and function of the shoulder within a year. Even untreated, the shoulder may get better by itself in 2 years.

After surgery restores motion, you must continue physical therapy for several weeks or months. This is to prevent the frozen shoulder from returning. If you do not keep up with physical therapy, the frozen shoulder may come back.

Possible Complications

Complications may include:

Stiffness and pain continue even with therapy

The arm can break if the shoulder is moved forcefully during surgery

When to Contact a Medical Professional

If you have shoulder pain and stiffness and think you have a frozen shoulder, contact your health care provider for referral and treatment.

Prevention

Early treatment may help prevent stiffness. Call your provider if you develop shoulder pain that limits your range of motion for an extended period.

People who have diabetes or thyroid problems will be less likely to get frozen shoulder if they keep their condition under control.

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